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Our 1st Advocacy Awards was a Huge Success!
Thank you all for your support!
The additional awareness and funds raised will help us increase our support toward Inclusive Catholic Education & Meaningful Employment for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Diocese of Arlington.
Evening Highlights
Check out a Catholic Herald article about the event here.
The evening began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop M. Burbidge, that set the tone for the rest of the evening. Bishop Burbidge gave a beautiful homily, which you can read here.
2023 Award Recipients
Porto Charities Inclusion Catalyst Award Recipients
Porto Charities Advocacy Award Recipients
Special Thanks
Event Co-Chairs:
Jerry and Pamela Pelano
Steering Committee
Leo Alonso
Carmen Chiappetta
Larry Rzepka
Lupita Williamson
Auction Chair
Kim Perry
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Communications Chair
Stew McHie
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Nominations Chair
Kathryn Doherty​
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Volunteer Chair
Christine Fowler
​Board of Directors
Leo Alonso, President
Bill Dalgetty, Vice President
John Reidt, Treasurer
Bill Mundy, Secretary
Art Bennett
Patrick Cross
Sheila Earhardt
Christine Fowler
Paul Frommelt
Dave Hoppe
Stew McHie
Fr. Rich Miserendino
Jerry Pelano
Laura Saracina
Tony Stafford
Special thanks to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, for his continuous support of Porto Charities' Mission and his commitment to Inclusive Catholic Education and Meaningful Employment for All in our Diocese.
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Special thanks to Bishop O' Connell High School for graciously agreeing to host our 1st Annual Advocacy Awards.
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Special thanks to Brickwall Printing & Graphics for providing our programs for the event.
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Special thanks to Matt Leiva, CEO of ML Real Estate Group for sponsoring our Employment Spotlight video.
Special thanks as well to Mariano Escobal from NORTE Consulting for his services in producing the video.
Special thanks to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington and the Bishop's Office for their time and support of this event.
Special thanks to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, for their valuable assistance during the planning of this event.
A heartfelt thanks to all the young adult volunteers and their peer mentors for all their help throughout the evening.
Thanks to our Sponsors
gold
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Frommelt
benefactor
Leo & Betty Alonso
Richard and Jacqueline Boak Charitable Fund
William & Marilynn Dalgetty
Sheila and Jeff Erhardt
David & Katherine Hamilton
Greg Sanchez & Maria McMahon Bishop O’Connell High School
Charlie and Sally Sullivan
Steward
Anonymous
Basilica School of St. Mary
Bishop Ireton High School
Holy Spirit Catholic School
Our Lady of Good Counsel
St. John Paul the Great High School
Victor & Karla Nasr
St. Paul VI High School
Jerry & Pam Pelano
Tony Stafford / Ford's Fish Shack
patron
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington
Dennis and Tina Chiappetta
Ann DiPlacido
Maite Doherty
Daniel Drummond
Espina Paving, Inc.
Christine and Mark Fowler
Dave & Karen Hoppe
Stacy LaRosa
Jay Kim and Kay Lee
Tia Marcili & Mary Miossi
Bill Mundy
Potomac Concrete Co.
John Reidt
Special Needs Trust -
The Arc of Northern Virginia
Carlos & Elsa Velez
supporter
Vivian Alonso
Canto Speech Therapy
Dolce Vita
Dominion Jewelers
Larry Rzepka
Andrew Shulman
The Wharf
Total Wine & More
Witness to Dignity
donor
Art & Laraine Bennet
Debbie Bennett
Raymond & Laura Bennet
Piper Bley with Split Endz Salon
Jean Bordner / Bean Bites
Vincent & Carmen Chiappetta
Ginny & William Colwell
Cynthia Heil Corzine & Mark Corzine
Andrew & Patty Cripe
McCabe's Printing Group
Mary Desmarais
Maite & Kevin Dougerty
Beth Elliot
Earp's Ordinary
Jonathan Holtaway
donor
Maura Locke
Jack & Sally Masri
Lilly Metcalfe / LillyBird Baking
Marissa Moore / Thirty-One Bags
OrangeTheory Fairfax Circle
Ornery Beer Company Public House
Greg Oliver
Jackie Pearce / The Wine House
Blanca Ramirez / Bread by Blanca
Marika Schoolar
Tony & Sue Simon
Donna Vostal
Tim & Lupita Williamson
Janet & Mike Witter
For more information about our 1st Advocacy Awards, please contact us at: media@portocharities.org